Absorbent article with multiple zone structural elastic-like film web extensible leg flap panels

Abstract

Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants, feminine hygiene garments and the like, that have a unique waist feature that improves the dynamic fit as well as the containment characteristics of the absorbent article. Such absorbent articles comprise a chassis assembly preferably comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; an extensible back waist feature; and a closure system for maintaining the absorbent article on the wearer. The extensible back waist feature provides an extensible feature that provides a more comfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting the diaper to the wearer and by sustaining this fit. The extensible back waist feature has a hip panel, a central waistband panel, and a pair of side panels. The force/extension characteristics of each panel is designed to provide such improved fit and containment. While each panel of the extensible waist feature may be constructed from a number of extensible materials, the panels preferably comprise a structural elastic-like film web. The structural elastic-like film (SELF) web exhibits an elastic-like behavior in the direction of elongation without the use of added elastic materials. The configuration of the SELF web in each panel has specific characteristics to provide the desired force/extension characteristics of each panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A disposable absorbent article for use about a wearer's waist having a front waist region and a back waist region, the absorbent article comprising: a chassis assembly comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined with said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet;   a pair of leg flap panels joined to and extending laterally outwardly from said chassis assembly, each said leg flap panel comprising a structural elastic-like film web comprising a strainable network of a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions, said structural elastic-like film web being extensible in the lateral direction allowing said leg flap panel to expand and contract in the lateral direction to provide additional void volume.   
     
     
       2. The absorbent article of claim 1 additionally comprising at least one elastic member operatively joined with each said leg flap panel to provide longitudinal extensibility. 
     
     
       3. The absorbent article of claim 2 additionally comprising an extensible back waist feature positioned in said back waist region, said extensible back waist feature comprising: a) a hip panel joined to and extending longitudinally outwardly from said chassis assembly, said web being extensible in a direction having a vector component in the lateral direction;   b) a central waistband panel joined with and extending longitudinally outwardly from said hip panel, said central waistband panel being extensible in a direction having a vector component in the lateral direction; and   c) a pair of side panels joined with and extending laterally outwardly from said central waistband panel and at least a portion of said hip panel, each said side panel being extensible in a direction having a vector component in the lateral direction.   
     
     
       4. The absorbent article of claim 3 wherein an end of each said elastic member extends longitudinally into said hip panel. 
     
     
       5. The absorbent article of claim 4 wherein each said side panel has a waist edge and a leg edge, and said hip panel extends longitudinally inwardly from said leg edge of each said side panel. 
     
     
       6. The absorbent article of claim 5 wherein said end of each said elastic member is operatively joined to said leg flap panel adjacent said leg edge of said side panel. 
     
     
       7. The absorbent article of claim 3 wherein said central waistband panel and each said side panel comprise a structural elastic-like film web. 
     
     
       8. The absorbent article of claim 7 wherein said hip panel comprises a structural elastic-like film web. 
     
     
       9. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said chassis assembly comprises a structural elastic-like film web. 
     
     
       10. The absorbent article of claim 1 additionally comprising a barrier leg cuff joined to said topsheet. 
     
     
       11. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said structural elastic-like film web has an extension force less than 30 g/cm at 50% extension. 
     
     
       12. The absorbent article of claim 2 wherein said structural elastic-like film web has an extension force no greater than 1/2 of the extension force of said elastic members. 
     
     
       13. The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the extension force of said elastic members is between about 50 g and about 60 g at 85% extension. 
     
     
       14. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said first regions of said structural elastic-like film web comprises 75 bands of 1 mm width each and said second regions comprise 74 pleats of 6.35 mm width each such that said leg flap panel has an extension force at 50% extension of 6 g/cm and an available stretch of 60%. 
     
     
       15. An unitary disposable absorbent article for use about a wearer's waist having a front waist region, a crotch region, and a back waist region, the absorbent article comprising: a chassis assembly comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined with said topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet;   a pair of leg flap panels joined to and extending laterally outwardly from said chassis assembly in at least said crotch region, each said leg flap panel being extensible in the lateral direction without elastic allowing said leg flap panel to expand and contract in the lateral direction to provide additional void volume.   
     
     
       16. The absorbent article of claim 15 wherein said leg flap panel has an extension force less than 30 g/cm at 50% extension. 
     
     
       17. The absorbent article of claim 16 additionally comprising a pair of side panels joined with and extending laterally outwardly from said chassis assembly, each said side panel being extensible in a direction having a vector component in the lateral direction. 
     
     
       18. The absorbent article of claim 17 wherein each said side panel comprises a structural elastic-like film web comprising a strainable network of a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions.